Deletion of hippocampal Glucocorticoid receptors unveils sex-biased microRNA expression and neuronal morphology alterations in mice.

ABSTRACT: Sex differences in the brain have prompted many researchers to investigate the underlying molecular actors, such as the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). This nuclear receptor controls gene expression, including microRNAs (miRNAs), in non-neuronal cells. Here, we investigated sex-biased effects of GR on hippocampal miRNA expression and neuronal morphology by generating a neuron-specific GR knockout mouse (Emx1-Nr3c1 ^-/-). The levels of 578 mature miRNAs were assessed using NanoString technology and, in contrast to males, female Emx1-Nr3c1 ^-/- mice showed a substantially higher number of differentially expressed miRNAs, confirming a sex-biased effect of GR ablation. Based on bioinformatic analyses we identified several transcription factors potentially involv

SUBMITTER: Tejos-Bravo M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7906897 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature